A recent incident on Facebook has once again highlighted the insidious tactics employed by die-hard Duterte supporters to silence dissent and criticism.

In a brazen display of hypocrisy and degeneracy, a fervent Duterte fanatic lodged a fake copyright infringement complaint against The Daily Netizen, a vocal critic of all political stripes and cultism in the Philippines.

This particular Duterte troll, known as Alex Bonifacio, took offense at The Daily Netizen’s exposure of his disgraceful behavior towards veteran actress Kris Aquino, a beloved figure in the Philippines.

Aquino, despite her medical struggles, remains an icon adored by millions.

Yet, Bonifacio saw fit to launch a vile attack, ridiculing her for sharing her health journey with her fans. His callous remarks, including the despicable suggestion that she “suffer in silence,” reek of cruelty and malice.

But what makes this situation even more contemptible is the sheer hypocrisy of Bonifacio and his ilk.

While he shamelessly attacks Aquino, accusing her of seeking attention, Bonifacio himself is no stranger to the spotlight.

He shamelessly engages in “fame-whoring” on platforms like Twitter, where he tirelessly defends his political idol, former President Rodrigo Duterte, and launches deranged attacks on anyone who dares to criticize him.

However, Bonifacio’s despicable actions didn’t stop there.

He weaponized Facebook’s copyright policy to silence his critics, abusing the system to suppress legitimate commentary and dissent. By reporting screenshots posted by The Daily Netizen, he sought to censor the exposure of his own reprehensible behavior.

In response to this blatant abuse of power, The Daily Netizen has issued an impassioned appeal to Facebook.

We argue that their use of the screenshots falls squarely within the bounds of fair use, serving the vital purpose of criticizing Bonifacio’s harmful actions.

We rightly point out that allowing trolls like Bonifacio to wield copyright claims as a cudgel against criticism sets a dangerous precedent, chilling free speech and accountability.

Facebook must heed this call to action and recognize the broader implications of its copyright policies.

It cannot continue to turn a blind eye to the exploitation of its platform by Duterte fanatics intent on silencing dissent. Upholding the principles of free speech and accountability is essential in creating a safe and responsible online environment for all users.

In conclusion, Facebook must reassess its handling of copyright complaints and take decisive action to prevent further abuse by Duterte trolls. The voices of dissent must not be silenced, and those who seek to suppress them must be held accountable for their actions.

The time for complacency is over. It’s time for Facebook to stand up to Duterte trolls and protect the integrity of its platform. Anything less would be a betrayal of its users and the fundamental values of democracy.

Our APPEAL to Facebook:

Dear Facebook Intellectual Property Team,

We are writing to appeal the copyright infringement complaint filed against a screenshot we posted on Facebook. The screenshot in question depicts Twitter posts made by Alex Bonifacio, a known political (allegedly) fake news peddler, targeting veteran actress Kris Aquino. The posts illustrate Mr. Bonifacio’s mockery and disdain towards Ms. Aquino, particularly regarding her health condition, with phrases such as “suffer in silence.”

We firmly believe that our use of the screenshot falls under fair use and is thus exempt from copyright infringement. Fair use is a vital aspect of copyright law that allows for the use of copyrighted material without permission from the copyright owner under certain circumstances, such as criticism, commentary, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research.

In this case, the screenshot was utilized for the purpose of criticism and commentary on the behavior of Mr. Bonifacio, a public figure who engages in spreading misinformation and engaging in online harassment. It was not intended for commercial gain but rather to shed light on the harmful actions of individuals who abuse social media platforms to target and bully others, in this instance, a respected actress sharing her health struggles with her followers.

Furthermore, it is important to note the context in which this screenshot was shared. Platforms like Twitter, where Mr. Bonifacio’s posts originated, have their own policies and mechanisms for addressing abusive behavior and misinformation. However, when individuals like Mr. Bonifacio weaponize copyright claims on platforms like Facebook to silence criticism and accountability, it undermines the very principles of free speech and responsible discourse.

Allowing such copyright claims to stifle legitimate criticism sets a dangerous precedent and emboldens those who seek to suppress dissenting voices. It is imperative that platforms like Facebook recognize the broader societal implications of these actions and ensure that their copyright policies are not exploited to shield perpetrators of online harassment and misinformation from accountability.

Thus, we respectfully request that Facebook reconsider the copyright infringement complaint against the screenshot we posted. The use of the screenshot falls squarely within the bounds of fair use and serves a legitimate purpose in highlighting and condemning harmful behavior online. Upholding the principles of free speech and accountability is paramount in fostering a safe and responsible online environment for all users.

Sincerely,

The Daily Netizen